NZ businesses are being warned they risk missing out on substantial revenue and cost saving opportunities if they fail to take heed of the growth in mobile internet and technologies.

According to software provider Tigerspike, whose Mobility Market 2014 Bulletin was released today in Auckland, the rise of the BYOD (bring your own device) phenomenon and the NZ government’s increase in support for IT resourcing in 2014, are two of the key areas which offer NZ businesses considerable opportunity for gain.

Tigerspike’s CEO for APAC, Alex Burke, commented: “With major broadband initiatives taking place across rural NZ and the rapid growth of smart phone and tablet usage, the landscape has changed quickly. Businesses that act quickly and adapt to these changes will have the opportunity to leapfrog the competition and create a new generation of highly connected and engaged customers and employees.

“Mobility represents a huge opportunity for New Zealand businesses and its workforce alike, and 2014 looks set to be a crucial year for growth in the world of mobile commerce and enterprise mobility.

"Some of the key focuses for the year ahead include wearable technology, responsive web design, natural user interfaces and a hot topic going forward, mobile security and protecting consumer data."

Around 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to own a smartphone by 2018 and over half are already currently using mobile internet from their devices.

Research firm IDC is expecting the tablet market to grow by 46 per cent year-on-year, providing the perfect opportunity for businesses to drive unprecedented results through the multitude of devices available to consumers.

“The pace of the development of personal media technology, smartphones and tablet devices, has created an open playing field to shake up the digital market. With 54 per cent of New Zealand smartphone users currently buying online via their phone, consumers and employees alike are chomping at the bit to see how home grown businesses will step up to the challenge,” said Burke

According to the firm, Countdown and Ticketek count as a few of the brands that are using current mobile technologies to effectively reach out to consumers.

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